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From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Anambra State Government has constituted a caretaker committee for the Emodi Shoe Dealers Association (ESDA) of Ochanja Market, Onitsha.
The caretaker committee members are: Mr. Sunday C. Ezumezu –Chairman; Mr. Ikechukwu Egwim -Vice Chairman; Mr. Joseph Udeogu –Secretary; Sunday Nwuzor – Financial Secretary; Chinedu Aniagwu –Treasurer; Anayo Umeh – Assistant Secretary; Chinedu Okonkwo –PRO; Cletus Ikeh -Provost I; Jude Ume -Provost II; Celestine Diove, -Anayo Okeke; Onyekachukwu Anukwu and Ubaka Amanie -Members
The Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, inaugurated the committee, yesterday, at the Jerome Udoji State Secretariat, Awka, to oversee the union’s activities before a substantive election is conducted.
Chief Uba congratulated the committee members and advised them to carry everyone along, emphasising that the Solution Government is committed to ensuring peace, discipline, and harmony in all markets in the state.
He explained that the embargo on market elections will be lifted next year to pave way for an open, transparent, and credible election that would usher in a new leadership, adding that the ministry is open to always work with them. He further explained that after the expiration of ESDA’s former leadership’s tenure, the chairman appropriately reported to his office and was advised to return after the governorship election.
But, contrary to state policy which suspended market elections, an unauthorised election was later conducted at Onitsha South Local Government Area, which Governor Soludo promptly dissolved and directed that all matters relating to market leadership must, henceforth, be routed through the Office of the Special Adviser on Trade and Market.
He said the action was in line with the government’s policy of institutional coordination and rule-based governance.
“This caretaker committee is, therefore, a lawful intervention to maintain stability and protect traders’ interests while the government prepares the ground for a properly regulated and credible market election,” Uba said.
In a vote of thanks, Chairman of the committee, Mr. Sunday Ezumezu, commended Governor Soludo’s market reforms and thanked the state government for the trust placed in them, promising they would do their best to ensure that the union moves forward.
